Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has called on Ecowas member states to honour the ECOWAS protocols signed by ECOWAS states on the free movement of goods within the sub-region.
He was quick to disclose that one of the biggest challenges that The Gambia and Mali faced is the transit trade barriers which remains a major obstacle between the two countries.
He said this has seriously hampered the speedy operation between The Gambia and Mali due to lacks of respect for the ECOWAS protocols by member states.
He made this statement during a courtesy called made by GRA board of directors and top management to GAM Petroleum management recently while on a field visit.
GRA boss disclosed that currently over 90 trucks are standing at the Mandinary Depot due to transit trade barriers by the neighbour country.
According to him Gambia has signed all protocols with all outside parties organization ranging from ECOWAS, World Trade Organization (WTO), AU, EU among others just to name a few, yet transit trade barriers remain a cause for concern in the sub region.
Commissioner General Darboe also stated that the issues of transit trade should be addressed by member states in a bid to ensure smooth trade facilitation within the sub region. He equally called on ECOWAS member states to adhere to the ECOWAS protocols and allow free movement of goods and peoples within the sub region.
.He noted that GRA customs need to work together with GAM-Petroleum Management to ensure that this transit trade challenges is address to ensure that transit trade stay. “We as an institution or country have signed all the protocol with all the parties outside and anything related to transit or trade. So, there should be a free movement of goods from one country to another country,” Mr. Darboe emphaised.
He assured that the neighbouring sister countries “will respect those rights and allow (us) to do business with Malian, Guinean, Bissau or any other countries of our choice. Especially now that the world has gone to a stage that we should be opened and encourage each other to ensure smooth trade operations.”
Responding to him, Saikou Drammeh, general manager of GAM –Petroleum spoke on their roles and responsibility as a company.
He said basically GAM Petroleum is responsible for receiving fuel and keeping the stock for the country, and as well as engage in lot of re-export with Mali, Bissau, by extension Guinea Conakry depends on the demand.
GAM-Petroleum, he said, receives all petroleum products from LPG, a cooking Gas to heavy Fuel for NAWEC, get fuel for flight, we have the capacity to pump the vessel.
He affirmed that their relationship with GRA and classified it as a very fruitful relationship over the years, while he acknowledge the courtesy called made by GRA board of directors and top brass of GRA.
He later thanked them for the visit and expressed hope that they will continue to work together in the best interest of the country.